Article changing from cranky monster to superhero with cape

ABSTRACT

An article having a two-sided, movable member with integral features on the front, that is connected to the body portion of the doll on at least one edge and is moveable to alternate positions to vary the appearance of the embodiment. The body of the doll has integral features and shows an alternate expression than the movable member. The movable member doubles as a cape once the panel is flipped over. The movable member could cover all or part of the body of the toy underneath. The movable member could be made of, and the body could be made of and stuffed with various materials in singular or combinations thereof, including, but not limited to foam, polyfill, cotton fabric, wool, wood, plastic, metal, leather, or rubber. The body of the toy could have appendages such as arms, legs, ears, or tails attached or none of the aforementioned.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of PPA Ser. No. 61/854,391, filed 2013 Apr. 23 by the present inventor, which is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

This application relates to an article, such as a plush stuffed toy, having at least one movable member that is movable to at least two alternate positions to vary the appearance of the one or more features and movable member then functions as a different object. Plush toys are an important part of the toy industry. A throwback to earlier days, stuffed toys require a child to use his or her imagination to engage in play and express themselves. Plush toys are an enduring industry favorite and serve as comfort items, imaginary friends and playmates for children, and collector items for adults. Stuffed toys also give customers a low-cost option when searching for a gift. Manufacturers, inventors, and designers must continue to create new processes and designs to keep kids engaged.

BACKGROUND Prior Art

The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant;

Patent Number Publication Date Applicant U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,796 B1 Jun. 20, 2002 Joan Gaynor, Tina Ying, Ivy Ross U.S. Pat. No. 3,811,220 A May 21, 1974 Kathy A. Dunn, Marvin Glass U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,556 A Jan. 17, 1989 Paul D. Vicars, Roy J. Hendricks, Eugene F. goubeaux, Jr. U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,574 A Jan. 12, 1993 Ken Evoy WO 2006078180 A1 Jul. 27, 2006 Dana Mihaela Jianu U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,900 A Dec. 15, 1998 Linda C. Pearson U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,505 A Sep. 30, 1986 Thomas P. Schneider, Susan E. Trentel U.S. Pat. No. 6,962,517 B2 Nov. 8, 2005 David Murray U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,584 A Oct. 14, 1997 Joyce A. Perryman U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,848 A Jul. 22, 1997 Stanton W. Clark U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,528 A May 26, 1992 Stuart Lamie US 20090176437 Jul. 9, 2009 Steve Jaqua, Matthew Allen Perry U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,493 Jun. 1, 1993 Karen Zgrodek, Stephanie Leechow U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,648 Nov. 1, 1988 Henry Garfinkel WO 2005089896 A1 Sep. 29, 2005 Renee faggen, Eileen Morris, Spencer Morris U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,796 B1, issued to Joan Gaynor, Tina Ying, Ivy Ross, Jun. 20, 2002 discloses a FASHION DOLL TRANSFORMING FROM PRINCESS TO BRIDE. The outer face of the hand mirror supports a dual-image lenticular lens display which transforms the presented image in response to pivotable movement of doll's arm. The doll further supports a tiara worn upon the doll's head together with a wedding veil which is alternately attachable to the doll's waist and to the tiara. While plastic dolls are a staple of the toy industry, they are not as soft and cuddley as plush dolls.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,811,220 A, issued to Kathy A. Dunn, Marvin Glass, May 21, 1974 discloses a RAG DOLL WITH CHANGEABLE FEATURES. This toy specifies using buttons as a primary means of securing the changeable panels which would limit the use and pleasure by very young children who lack the dexterity of older kids. This invention changes its decorative features by flipping panels, but no functional change in mode of play or the character itself.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,556 A, issued to Paul D. Vicars, Roy J. Hendricks, Eugene F. Goubeaux, Jr. Jan. 17, 1989 discloses an ARTICLE HAVING A CHANGEABLE EXPRESSION FACE. This toy changes expression by rotating small components on the articles face. Though the components are changeable, the mode of the character remains the same—the eyes are still eyes, the mouth is still just a mouth and limits the scope of invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,574 A, issued to Ken Evoy, Jan. 12, 1993 discloses an ARTICLE HAVING A MOVABLE FOLD MEMBER FOR ALTERATION OF A FEATURE. Although this invention has movable members that alter a feature of the character, the character does not change with the function of the movable member.

WO 2006078180 A1, issued to Dana Mihaela Jianu, Jul. 27, 2006 DOLL. This invention refers to a doll meant for children or adults as a way of active relaxing, having an educational, creativity stimulator or therapeutic purpose. This invention is a basic impersonalized doll which has no characteristic expression regarding its body, sex, race, age, etc., composed of head, body, Patent articulated and removable upper and lower limbs. A disadvantage to be noticed by this invention is that for each doll part that is removable, it could be lost at any time, rendering the doll scary to some children thus discouraging the use and limiting playability.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,900 A, issued to Linda C. Pearson, Dec. 15, 1998 discloses a DOLL HAVING CHANGEABLE FACE ELEMENTS. This invention has removably attachable face element which could be damaged enough by repeatedly taking off and putting back on to where the hook and loop fasteners would not work. The attachable face element could also be put in the wrong position by very young children and is a clumsy method of changing the faces. The attachable element could also be left behind at a park or at school and lost altogether. This invention also focuses on the educational area of psychology rather than promoting the importance free imagination and play.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,505 A, issued to Thomas P. Schneider, Susan E. Trentel, Sep. 30, 1986 discloses a TRANSFORMABLE TOY FIGURE which progressively transforms into different configurations. While this invention might have had a novelty factor for some kids when it was introduced, it is complicated for the very young to manipulate and therefore limits the toy's maximum usage.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,962,517 B2, issued to David Murray, Nov. 8, 2005 discloses a TOY STUFFED ANIMAL HAVING CONVERTIBLE CONFIGURATIONS that emulates the awakening of the stuffed animal upon the user touching one of various locations upon the body of the stuffed animal thereby activating an appropriate pre-recorded audio message. With the proliferation of many high-tech toys, electronic tablets and smart phones with unlimited apps and games, a toy that is limited to repeating the same pre-messages, could be unbearably boring to kids.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,584 A, issued to Joyce A. Perryman, Oct. 14, 1997 discloses a DOLL WITH INTERCHANGEABLE FACES. This invention includes a nondescript head portion, with a series of interchangeable head “slip covers”. The problem arrises when slip covers are put on incorrectly or during the process of changing head slip covers leaves the doll with no face and can be unappealing and frightening to children.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,848 A, issued to Stanton W. Clark, Jul. 22, 1997 discloses a REVERSIBLE PLUSH TOY that has two designs, such as two animal shapes, which turn inside-out into each other by consuming and regurgitating each other through a shared wide mouth. While this toy could be construed as clever, it could also be complicated to manipulate for very young children.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,528 A, issued to Stuart Lamie, May 26, 1992 discloses a PILLOW TRANSFORMABLE INTO ANIMAL CHARACTER. While convertible pillow toys have been popular in the recent past, toys that have to be large enough to support a child's head during rest, inhibits portability, thus limiting the toys possible usage.

US 20090176437, issued to Steve Jaqua, Matthew Allen Perry, Jul. 9, 2009 discloses COMBINATION STUFFED TOY WITH CHARACTERISTICS OF MULTIPLE KINDS OF ENTITIES. This toy contains features of both a plant and an animal. This plant-animal combination toy requires users to figure out what the plant-animal combination is.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,493, issued to Karen Zgrodek, Stephanie Leechow, Jun. 1, 1993 discloses a STUFFED TOY WITH CHANGEABLE FACIAL EXPRESSION. The expression can be changed by rotating the eye and mouth members. This invention actually states that the pickle character lends itself to use by disturbed children.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,648, issued to Henry Garfinkel, Nov. 1, 1988 discloses a REVERSIBLE PLUSH TOY. This toy, when manipulated, inverts from one character to another, but a zipper on a plush toy is not the most comfortable component on a kid's toy, and if left partially zipped, could injure a child.

WO 2005089896 A1, issued to Renee faggen, Eileen Morris, Spencer Morris, Sep. 29, 2005 discloses FACIAL FEATURE ASSEMBLY

Advantages

The present embodiment solves the problem of having a toy with detachable pieces that may be lost. Has a permanently attached movable member so it could never be lost. Has an easy and simple way of transforming between different characters by the provision of a movable member. Promotes fun and the development of the imagination by allowing kids, adults, and collectors to act out and role play different characters with the same toy.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment an article has at least one primary, two-sided movable member of material that is hingedly connected to the body portion of the toy on at least one edge and is moveable to alternate positions to vary the features and function of the article.

DRAWINGS

FIGURES

FIG. 1 sets forth a perspective view of toy with the primary, two-sided movable member in the first position.

FIG. 2 sets forth a side view of toy with the movable member in the first position.

FIG. 3A sets forth a front view of toy with the movable member in the first position.

FIG. 3B sets forth a rear view of toy with the movable member in the first position.

FIGS. 4A to 4Q sets forth a front view of toy with the movable member in a sequence flipping from first position to second position.

FIGS. 5A to 5Q sets forth a side view of toy with the movable member in a sequence flipping from first position to second position.

FIGS. 6A to 6Q sets forth a rear view of toy with the movable member in a sequence flipping from first position to second position.

FIG. 7 sets forth a side view of toy with the movable member in the second position.

FIG. 8A sets forth a front view of toy with the movable member in the second position.

FIG. 8B sets forth a rear view of toy with the movable member in the second position.

FIG. 9A sets forth a front view of the two-sided movable member.

FIG. 9B sets forth a rear view of the two-sided movable member with half of the temporary closing system.

FIG. 9C sets forth a side view of the two-sided movable member with half of the temporary closing system attached.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   100 perspective view of toy     -   102 primary, two-sided movable member     -   102A side view of the front half two-sided movable member     -   102B side view of the rear half two-sided movable member     -   104 head-body unit of toy     -   106 cranky monster mouth     -   108 cranky monster eyes     -   202 foot     -   204 hand     -   206 arm     -   208 permanent attachment end of movable member     -   210 temporarily attached end of movable member     -   702 “female” component of hook and loop fastener     -   704 “male” component of hook and loop fastener     -   706 happy superhero mouth     -   708 happy superhero eyes     -   710 superhero mask feature

DETAILED DESCRIPTION First Embodiment Figs

Having thus summarized the general nature of the embodiment and its essential features, certain preferred embodiments and modifications thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description herein having reference to the figures that follow.

This embodiment is in the form of a plush stuffed monster toy that transforms into a superhero character with a cape and mask by the provision of a movable member. We all contain both good and evil. Kids need to playact their feelings. They don't have the vocabulary or the self-awareness to identify and subsequently deal with their fear and anxieties. Most kids are seeking a sense of control over powerful emotions, so they identify with extreme versions of bad guys and monsters. Kids transform these feelings and fears into physical beings that can be looked at, played with, and ultimately vanquished.

Superheroes and superheroine characters possess extraordinary talents, superhuman powers, and are dedicated to protecting the public. Superheroes use their power to counter day-to-day crime while also defending the earth and threats against humanity by supervillains. Secret identities protect superhero's friends and families from becoming targets of his or her enemies. Superheroes are very appealing to kids at a sensory level because they wear colorful costumes, are fast and stimulating, but more importantly, superheroes send the message to kids of good battling and winning out over evil. And when superheroes work together, they send the message that teamwork is a valuable thing—or working alone, sends the message that one person can make a difference.

It is therefore, an object of the present embodiment to provide a child's toy that allows the child to role-play the part of a “cranky monster”. Another object of the present embodiment is to provide the child to quickly and easily change to the role of a “superhero”. The toy is constructed of a soft material comprising of a primary, two-sided movable member having “cranky monster” facial features, partially concealing the main stuffed member underneath, having “superhero” facial features such as eyes, superhero mask, a body with arms, hands, feet, and the movable member converting a to superhero cape.

FIG. 1 sets forth a perspective view of toy of the first embodiment. The toy will be generally referenced by numeral 100. The toy is in the configuration of a doll with a stuffed head-body unit 104 that consists of two panels of fabric material, stuffed with a soft stuffing material such as polyfill, or other such material well known in the art, with the primary, two-sided movable member 102, front side 102A and rear side 102B, that is made of fabric material that is attached on at least one edge to head-body 104. The movable member 102, in the temporarily closed position is referred to as the first position, or first configuration. The movable member 102 partially conceals fanciful features on head-body unit 104 underneath. The movable member 102, on the front side 102A, has a fanciful cranky monster mouth 106, and fanciful cranky monster eye 108 features. The fanciful cranky monster mouth 106, and fanciful cranky monster eye 108 features may be sewn, screen printed, appliquéd, or other methods well known in the art, onto or into movable member 102. The movable member 102 will be contoured to match the general shape of the character's head-body unit 104 underneath. The head-body unit 104 will have arms 206, hands 204, feet 202, and the movable member 102 that is able to convert into a “superhero” cape 102B. The front side 102A and rear side 102B of movable member 102, will consist of different color fabric to distinguish rear side 102B as a cape. The rear side 102B (not fully shown) of movable member 102, will have the “female” half of hook and loop fastening system 704 (not shown).

FIG. 2 sets forth a side view of toy 100 with the two-sided movable member 102 in the first position. The movable member 102 is permanently attached on at least one edge 208 to head-body unit 104 and is temporarily attached on at least one edge 210 by means of the temporary closing system 702 and 704 situated on the lower portion of the rear side 102B of movable member 102. A hook and loop fastening system 702 and 704 can be used to temporarily hold movable member 102 in the first position, although various other types of temporary closing systems could also be used, including, but not limited to snaps, magnets, buttons, zippers, and more.

FIG. 3A sets forth a front view of toy 100 with the movable member 102 in the first position.

FIG. 3B sets forth a rear view of toy 100 with the movable member 102 in the first position.

FIGS. 4A to 4Q sets forth a front view of toy 100 with the movable member 102 showing the cranky monster feature mouth 106, cranky monster eyes 108, in a sequence flipping from first position to second position, thus hiding the fanciful cranky monster features 106 and 108 to reveal a fanciful superhero mask 710 feature of toy head-body unit 104, and fanciful happy superhero eyes 708 and fanciful happy superhero mouth 706. The fanciful happy superhero eyes 708, mouth 706, and mask 710 features may be sewn, screen printed, appliquéd, or other methods well known in the art, onto or into head-body unit 104. The 210 end of movable member 102 is manually lifted by hand from first position, separating temporary closing system 702 and 704, and flipped to second position, or second configuration. In this position, movable member may not be held in place as to function as a cape that is loose and may emulate swinging in the wind.

FIGS. 5A to 5Q sets forth a side view of toy 100 with the movable member 102 in a sequence flipping from first position to second position, thus hiding the cranky monster features 106 and 108 to reveal a superhero features 706, 708, 710, and female half of hook and loop fastener 702 of toy head-body unit 104. In this embodiment, the movable member 102 in the second position, does not necessarily need to be held in place since it now represents a new cape feature 102B. In another embodiment, movable member 102 in the second position could be temporarily held in place depending on the mode of the embodiment.

FIGS. 6A to 6Q sets forth a rear view of toy 100 with the movable member 102 in a sequence flipping from first position to second position, transforming movable member 102 in a cape feature 102B also showing male half 704 of hook and loop fastening system.

FIG. 7 sets forth a side view of toy 100 with the movable 102 member in the second position, having a cape feature 102B with the male half 704 of hook and loop fastener, female half 702 of hook and loop fastener, happy superhero mouth 706, happy superhero eyes 708, and superhero mask 710 revealed. The fabric portion of mask 710 could match the same fabric and color as cape 102B for aesthetic purposes, although they don't have to. The male half 704 of hook and loop fastener should be located towards the lower portion of cape feature 102B and situated to meet the female half 702 of hook and loop fastener when in the first position.

FIG. 8A sets forth front view of toy 100 with the movable 102 member in the second position, with female half 702 of hook and loop fastener, happy superhero mouth 706, happy superhero eyes 708, and superhero mask 710.

FIG. 8B sets forth rear view of toy 100 with the movable 102 member in the second position, having a cape feature 102B with the male half 704 of hook and loop fastener.

FIG. 9A sets forth a front view of the two-sided movable member 102, front side 102A with cranky monster feature mouth 106 and cranky monster eyes 108.

FIG. 9B sets forth a rear view of the two-sided movable member 102, rear side 102B with half of the temporary closing system 704.

FIG. 9C sets forth a side view of the two-sided movable member 102, denoting the front half 102A and rear half 102B with half of the temporary closing system 704. The preferred material for forming the the movable member 102 of the present embodiment is a flexible fabric or fabric-like material that is durable and capable of being securely attached to the stuffed toy head-body unit 104. The materials forming the movable member 102 of the present embodiment may be selected from appropriate materials or mixtures of materials, and thickness, texture, profile patterns and color can be selected as desired, as can the size of the toy 100 and movable feature 102. The preferred material for forming the present embodiment may be selected from appropriate washable materials or mixtures of materials that are soft to the touch such as, for example, cotton, wool, velvet, velour, chenille, polyester or the like.

Operation

The present embodiment has feet 202 that are wide and flat enough for toy 100 to stand alone without tipping over, arms 206 that are soft and flexible to be manipulated by user, a movable member 102 with fanciful features 106 and 108, that is permanently attached at one end 208, held down by a temporary fastening hook and loop system 702 and 704, that can be detached at the temporarily fastened end 210, flipped over to reveal and alternate fanciful features 706, 708, and 710, then becoming a cape feature 102B, not held down necessarily as to mimic a flapping cape.

DESCRIPTION Alternate Embodiments

There are various possibilities with regard combining character types and fanciful features of the movable member 102 front side 102A and fanciful features of the main head-body unit 104 of toy. The movable member 102, once flipped over 102B could also functions as wings, a turtle shell, hair, fish scales, dinosaur scales, shark fin, horses mane, lions mane, reptile skin, animal skin, reflective skin, glow-in-the-dark skin, heat-sensitive skin, a back pack, jet pack, simulated flames, scuba tanks, mobile phone case, wallet or other modes of play. This embodiment could also be made in flattened versions with little or no filling as well.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

With a toy figure constructed according to the principals of the present embodiment, there are other configurations that may be derived from the present embodiment. The first embodiment sets forth a figure in which the fanciful movable member comprises facial components, hingedly attached to the fanciful body portion with different facial components, is manually changed from a “cranky monster-to-superhero-with-cape” by means of an quick and easy movable member.

What has been shown is a simple but novel stuffed toy doll that can be used by persons of almost any age.

While my above description contains many specificities, these should not be construes as limitations on the scope, but rather as an exemplification of one embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example the movable member 102 front side 102A could be a zombie, or a pirate, or a robot, or vampire, or wizard, or ghost, and many other characters instead of a cranky monster, as well as the fanciful features of the main head-body unit 104 of toy. The movable member 102, once flipped over 102B could also functions as wings, a turtle shell, hair, fish scales, dinosaur scales, shark fin, horses mane, lions mane, reptile skin, animal skin, reflective skin, glow-in-the-dark skin, heat-sensitive skin, a back pack, jet pack, simulated flames, scuba tanks, mobile phone case, wallet or other modes of play. This embodiment could also be made in flattened versions with little or no filling as well. The toys of the present embodiment may also be provided with other fanciful ornamentation, coloration, clothes or accessories which can be permanently affixed to the toy to enhance the entertainment value of the product for the user. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A stuffed toy which is transformable between its first and second configurations, comprising of a head-body portion having a plurality of fanciful integral features, a mouth, pairs of arms, hands, feet, eyes surrounded by a mask therewith, that is permanently connected on at least one edge, to a two-sided, movable member having fanciful integral features therewith, a mouth, eyes, and means enabling transformation of the toy figure between its first and second configurations.
 2. The stuffed toy of claim 1 wherein said movable member having fanciful integral features therewith, exhibits two angry eyes on the front side of movable member.
 3. The stuffed toy of claim 1 wherein said movable member having fanciful integral features therewith, exhibits an angry mouth on the front side of movable member.
 4. The stuffed toy of claim 1 wherein said movable member, in its first configuration, partially conceals fanciful integral features of head-body portion of toy underneath.
 5. The stuffed toy of claim 1 wherein said movable member, in its first configuration, is temporarily held down to head-body portion underneath by means of hook and loop fastening system with the male half of said fastening system attached to second side of movable member.
 6. The stuffed toy of claim 1 wherein said movable member, in its first configuration, is temporarily held down to head-body portion underneath by said hook and loop fastening system with the female half of said fastening system attached to front side of toy head-body portion underneath.
 7. The stuffed toy of claim 1 wherein said head-body portion having said feet that are wide and flat enabling toy to stand freely.
 8. The stuffed toy of claim 1 wherein said head-body portion having said arms.
 9. The stuffed toy of claim 1 wherein is made of soft polyester fabric.
 10. The stuffed toy of claim 1 wherein is filled with a lightweight material.
 11. The stuffed toy of claim 2 wherein said movable member having fanciful integral features therewith, in its second configuration, reveals fanciful integral features of head-body portion of toy underneath.
 12. The stuffed toy of claim 2 wherein said movable member, in its second configuration, reveals fanciful integral features of head-body portion of toy underneath with a happy superhero mouth.
 13. The stuffed toy of claim 2 wherein said movable member, in its second configuration, reveals fanciful integral features of head-body portion of toy underneath with a happy superhero eyes.
 14. The stuffed toy of claim 2 wherein said movable member, in its second configuration, reveals fanciful integral features of head-body portion of toy underneath with a happy superhero mask.
 15. The stuffed toy of claim 3 wherein said movable member having fanciful integral features therewith, in its second configuration, becomes a cape feature.
 16. The stuffed toy of claim 3 wherein said movable member, in its second configuration, becomes said cape is made of soft material.
 17. The stuffed toy of claim 3 wherein said movable member, in its second configuration, becomes said cape having male half of said fastening system attached. 